Garfield waved his paw lazily. "Go."
The nine great serpents bowed their massive heads and slid off the cliff, their colossal bodies vanishing one by one into the deep sea below.
The waters churned briefly, then slowly calmed.
Only after they were gone did Garfield scratch the fur on his head in embarrassment.
"…So there were nine of them," He muttered.
After releasing the final serpents, Garfield opened a teleportation gate. The golden light spiraled open behind him, leading back toward Kamar-Taj.
At the same time, he was already preparing for another meeting, this time, with the "old bee" in England.
The portal closed.
Garfield was gone.
…
Hela, who had been squatting silently on the ground, suddenly stood up. Her eyes burned as she stared at the empty space above the seal where Garfield had vanished.
"Damn it," She hissed. "That cat… just leaving like that."
She clenched her fists. "When I'm finally free, I'll pluck every last hair off his head."
Watching her daughter, Frigga felt a mix of helpless amusement and quiet sorrow.
She was happy because Hela had finally tasted something close to affection.
And she was sad because the "cabbage" she had raised for thousands of years was being taken away by an orange cat.
Even if that cabbage was poisonous… it was still something her family had painstakingly nurtured.
Frigga reached out and gently held Hela's hand.
"My child," She said softly. "Mother does not know why… but I care deeply about that orange cat."
Hela frowned but did not pull away.
"Remember this," Frigga continued. "When you treat someone, do so sincerely. Only then can happiness be returned to you."
She paused, her voice turning serious.
"I know you wish to grow stronger. To conquer the universe. But as Garfield said, there are countless beings out there who could erase Asgard with ease."
"Go out and see more. Learn more. Speak less. And be cautious about whom you clash with."
"However, Asgard is not afraid of challenges." Then her tone hardened slightly.
"Even if the opponent is stronger than us, Asgard's dignity must never be trampled."
Hela lifted her chin, pride blazing in her eyes.
"Mother, I understand." She said firmly. "I will break through my limits."
"When that day comes, I will return with my army and prove my strength to Father."
Her lips curved into a fierce smile. "I will defeat him head-on and take the throne of Asgard myself."
Frigga fell silent.
…As expected. Her daughter still wished to challenge her father.
Was it fate that the two of them could never coexist peacefully? Frigga slowly raised her head and gazed into the distance.
I hope that orange cat, whose fate should not even exist, can shatter this endless loop.
Destiny… is truly a strange thing.
After a few more quiet words, Frigga's projection faded from the cell, leaving Hela alone once more.
The prison fell silent.
Hela stared at the emptiness, then squatted down again, bored.
"Bad cat." She muttered.
"For over a thousand years… you're the only one who ever told me the truth about the universe." Her voice softened, almost unwillingly.
"You made me feel like a god's life could have a new goal. A new reason to move forward."
"And you gave me the confidence to face that man head-on."
She snorted. "Father, just wait. I will defeat you fairly and take the throne."
"As for the orange cat…" She smirked. "A regent isn't bad either. He got lucky."
"Hmph."
…
Far away, among the Nine Realms…
At the highest balcony of Asgard's palace, Frigga stood alone, overlooking the resplendent city glowing beneath her feet.
Moments ago, she had spoken with her eldest daughter through projection magic.
This outcome was unexpected.
And it had already diverged from the original prophecy.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, even with her profound mastery of magic, Frigga could not see clearly what the future held.
But one thing was certain.
Her daughter and her husband had finally begun to escape the cold stagnation of immortality.
Thinking of that troublesome orange furball, Frigga felt a quiet resolve rise in her heart.
Some things needed to be handled personally.
And some truths… must be kept from Hela. After a moment's thought, Frigga turned to the guards behind her.
"Go and find him." She said calmly.
"Thor"
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream